Bochy’s State of the Union: On Zito, Lincecum, Brown, Hembree and more

One of the first things I did last spring — my first as a beat writer — was to transcribe manager Bruce Bochy’s long opening session with the media. The season kinda worked out — so why mess with what worked? Here’s Bochy this morning on a variety of topics during a 26-minute session with reporters. I cut a couple of things out because they’ll show up on the blog later today and in print tomorrow:

On having so many position players in camp already:

“We have quite a few of them that came in early and that’s always a great time. We don’t open up until Saturday, but this is as good a place as you can have a workout with the cages and the workout room. A few of them we wanted to come in early to get an early start, but most of them came in on their own.”

On the second half of 2012:

“I wish I could tell you there was one incident or spark but it just seemed like as a group they collectively came together at the right time. The timing couldn’t have been better because we lost a very good player (Melky Cabrera) so it was important that we did raise our level of play, so to speak. As a group they did and I do think acquiring Marco Scutaro and Hunter Pence added a lot to the club’s confidence. Their experience and their energy that they brought to the team brought even a larger sense of confidence.”

What were you most proud of last year?

“A couple of things. First is how well they played as a group. They were a very unselfish group that had so much unity. They really cared about each other and set aside their own agenda and asked what’s best for the club and what they can do to contribute. I put guys in different roles – bullpen by committee or Timmy going to the bullpen, but not once did somebody come in and complain. They had one goal in mind and it was a common goal and that was to get to the postseason and hopefully win a world championship, which they did.

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“The second thing is how well we played the game of baseball. The little things that we did well: Blanco’s bunt, or the last game with Brandon (Crawford) having to lay down a perfect bunt off a tough left-hander. He gets down a perfect bunt to set up the game-winning hit. The cut-off relay that we did to get Fielder at home plate. These things they should be proud of, and I know the coaching staff should be because they worked hard all year and it paid off for us.”Any changes to the routine this spring?

“It’ll be pretty much the same. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. We’ll still concentrate on what we need to do here and make any adjustments with our club. We’ll move guys around, which you know I like to do to keep that versatility. We’re not going to do anything different. I know it’s talked about ‘You won and are you going to have to talk to the club about the upcoming year’ but I thought in 2011 we played well. We lost Buster and that hurt, but they kept their focus and I think this team will.”

On having so many World Baseball Classic guys:

“We have to make sure they’re getting ready when they leave. We’ll make sure of that. That’s the biggest concern, going out there when you’re not quite ready. That’s when you’re really asking for injury. It makes it a lot easier when you have pretty much the same club. These guys know each other. That time where you get to know each other, I don’t think it’s quite as vital.”

On developing depth while guys are at WBC:

“You try to look at the silver lining on anything that happens and that is one of them. It’ll force us to get some other guys some playing time out there. It gives them a better look, a better chance to make the club. That’s a good thing. We are covered, we have 37 pitchers in camp so we won’t be over-taxing anybody. As far as the position players, I look forward to seeing some guys.”

On Gary Brown being in line to play a lot this spring:

“Going back to last year he wanted to play more than what he did. This will give him a great opportunity to show what he can do. We’ll be moving him around. For the most part he’ll be in center field but we’ll maybe take a look at him in left field and right field. With these outfielders and all the games we play, they’re going to get a pretty good workload. It will also allow us to put Belt out there or Brett Pill or guys that we may want to see out there in left field.”

On Brown playing all three positions this spring because Pagan re-signed:

“(Brown) is going to be playing center field for the most part but I may move him around a little bit just to take a look at it. I may not, but I would like to take a look at it because Angel is our center fielder. Brown needs to keep his options open and he’s getting close now. He’s moving up the ladder.”

Can Zito carry the postseason momentum into this season?

“I do (believe that). I do. This guy, he really had so much confidence last year. He really believed that he could get back on track, which he did. I still go back to last spring and it was awful – he’ll tell you that. The way he figured it out was one of the more impressive things I’ve seen in this game. Going back to the first start of the season where we didn’t know what we would get with the terrible spring he had. He goes out there and throws a shutout in Colorado. With what he did down the stretch and the postseason, there’s no reason why he wouldn’t carry that over into this year.”

On having so much continuity in rotation:

“We are fortunate. It’s pretty amazing, really, when you look at how healthy these guys have stayed and how they’re out there every fifth day. Particularly when you look at 2010 and pitching until November 1, and the innings they logged. It’s a credit to these players and these pitchers and how they take care of themselves, and the conditioning that the staff puts them through. You start with Dave Groeschner, our head trainer. To keep them healthy, it just doesn’t happen that often. We have been fortunate because we really haven’t had a long man the last three years. As a manager, you get a little bit nervous when you may have a starter who can’t make that start and you don’t have a long guy. You’re going to go through your bullpen. I do knock on wood. I’m proud of these guys with how they do take care of themselves and keep themselves available all year.”

On Lincecum’s spring:

“We’re not going to handle him any differently than what we’ve done in the past. I know listening to Timmy that he’s excited to get back here and get back on track. He’ll tell you he lost a little confidence and had some mechanical issues, but what great athlete hasn’t had some ups and downs during a season? I think with what happened in the postseason, he should carry that into this spring and this season. I know he’s looking at this spring as an important spring to throw well and get back on track. I don’t look at velocity – I don’t. It’s more about location. I’ve always said that pitchers will settle at a velocity. They’re not always going to throw what they came up throwing, whether it’s 95, 97, 98. With the innings and the workload they all seem to settle down somewhere and that’s where Timmy is now.”

On spring starting early for pitchers:

“We’re able to work them how we think we should. I don’t know if we’ll hold back. April 1, we’re going at it. With the WBC, some of these guys we have to have game ready. We may push (them) a little. I’ve got an unbelievable pitching coach in Dave Righetti and Mark Gardner in the bullpen – they did a great job in 2011 after we won it and they’ll keep an eye on these guys.”

On winning two titles in three years:

“I’m overwhelmed by it. I know how difficult it is just to get to the postseason. To get to the World Series and to win a championship two out of the last three years, it’s still unbelievable to me. I’ll tell these guys that. It’s amazing what has happened here, and really, almost with two different clubs. The pitching staff was similar but if you look around the field in 2012 versus 2010, we were a different club and a different type of club. I still find myself going ‘It’s unbelievable what these guys accomplished, especially with their backs to the wall.’ “

On bringing everybody back this season:

“It’s how much we think of these guys and the job that the did for us. It was a great group, an unselfish group. When you have a group like that you do want to keep them together. We did have needs, too. We needed a center fielder and thought Pagan was the best choice, just like Scutaro. It makes the task of managing a lot less daunting when you pretty much keep that same group because they know me and what to expect. I know sometimes change is good, but this group was a group that only played one year, so I thought it was important that we keep them together.”

On telling guys to enjoy title, then move on:

“We’ve talked about it. You have to enjoy it because it’s so difficult to get there, much less win two of the last three. You should never let go of those memories, but at the same time you have to remind yourself that you’ve got work to do.”

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On differences this offseason:

“The only difference I saw a little bit was that at the winter meetings (in 2010) a lot of people came up and said congratulations. The second time you do it, they’re mad at you. That’s enough – you’re ball-hogging now.”

On Heath Hembree:

“It’s too bad he had (an injury) last year. There might have been a time or two where he would have been up here so we could take a look at him. I look forward to watching Heath.”

On Romo being the closer:

“He’s a strike-thrower. He’s got three pitches. Earlier, he was a guy we pretty much used against right-handers. I know he’s known for his slider but now he’s got great command of his fastball and he can sink it. He’s got a nice changeup that makes him more effective against lefties and he changes speeds with that slider. I think he’s earned it coming out of the chute to get the lion’s share of these saves. But at the same time we do want to protect him and we have some guys that are comfortable pitching late in the ballgame.”

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Favorite quote from Bochy:
“It’s amazing what has happened here, and really, almost with two different clubs. The pitching staff was similar but if you look around the field in 2012 versus 2010, we were a different club and a different type of club.”

I’m really liking that the TEAM that emerged in the last half of 2012 will be rolling into 2013, but with more depth … just in case.

cynic

Bochy is the best in-game manager in the league. He managed circles around Baker, Matheny, and Leyland.

Giant in Chicago

Great to have you back and posting again. As always, a great read. Thanks, Alex!

Lefty

Right, don’t change a thing, Alex. Whatever you ate at the various ballparks last year, eat those same things this year. Start with the same restaurants in Scottsdale. If we can eat #RallyEnchiladas every fifth day all year, you can do your part. We believe in you! #RallyAlex #Goodluckbeatwriter

BKGiant

Thanks Alex!

It’s all about location.

TheParadox

I agree Bochy is the best manager in baseball. It is amazing how he just knows what buttons to push. His players have complete confidence in him and that inspires confidence in themselves. I don’t think any Giants fan can believe that we have enjoyed 2 World Series championships in the the last 3 three years. I still don’t believe it.

Sam

I can’t wait until the end of July when the Giants trade for Carlos Beltran again.

FH Ryan

Clayton Blackburn & Gary Brown for Carlos Beltran III. Boom!

FH Ryan

Thanks Alex! Keep on doing what you’re doing and kickin’ A along the way! Good luck. No sophomore slumps for you.

FH Ryan

Thanks Alex! Keep on doing what you’re doing and kickin’ tail along the way! Good luck. No sophomore slumps for you.

Not RunItt

A paper Bag can manage circles around Dusty Baker. That guy is the worst in game manager in history.

FH Ryan

Thanks Alex! Keep on doing what you’re doing , kicking some posterior along the way! Good luck. No sophomore slumps for you.

I’m still basking in the afterglow of game five in Cincy. I could watch that game every single day. After an offseason to think about it, I believe it’s my single favorite postseason game of all time. I’ve always been partial to the Brian Johnson game as my favorite Giants game ever – but this one is right there. Tough call for me. Strange that the WS wins aren’t at the top – but they DO validate the other two. The 97 Dodger game felt hollow until 2010. Now it’s legit, particularly since the LA writers claim it was the turning point for both franchises.

April can’t come soon enough – but your regular blog will get us there faster, Alex. Thanks – and welcome back!

South City Jim

Game 5 against Cinci was right up there. I’m partial to game 5 vs. St. Louis. For nay left hander to shut out that LU in St. Louis with their momentum heading into that game was amazing. Don’t care if it was Barry Zito, Cliff Lee or Steve Carlton.

South City Jim

*any*

I will say the last three innings with all the Cinci rallies and clutch defensive plays by the Giants was amazing. I think that game aged me about 3 years.

dgg

Thanks, Alex. This is the perfect start. I always like reading Bochy’s take on things.

Mike

This has bothered me a bit. Are there any indications that the Giants knew that Melky was about to be suspended last season? Is that why there was the trade for Pence (recall, the trade happened before the public knew Melky was on PED)? If so, the Giants were still sending the Melk-Man out every day after knowing he was juiced. I had a great deal of faith under the owners with Bill Neukom at the helm. Right now, I don’t know what to make of the ownership.

RogerCraig

Glad we are not swinging for the fences every time, Advancing the runner does work, Still, I would like to some more power in LF

pacman68

Busters grand slam will live in Giants history forever!!!

Papa J

Zito’s gem is top ten – right up there w/Uribe’s game six dinger in Philly & Will Clark’s grand slam at Wrigley – but the Cincy game was one of those perfect October weekday games that made everyone in the Bay Area come together at work or school and treat the day like a holiday.

And it was Mat Latos who took it on the chin. As if that wasn’t enough, the Romo/Jay Bruce AB in the 9th was epic.

Thank you for the great transcript Alex, look forward to another great season of coverage from you. And great rookie season to boot, hard to top a World Series, but to steal from Ernie Banks a little, “How about two?”

Eventually Sandoval will have to move to 1B, he is not a long-term 3B, plus Posey might move to 1B at some point due to his injuries, sure he can handle catching now, he’s still young, but he had a devastating injury to his leg, I can’t see how that doesn’t limit his years as a catcher (thanks Scott, still feel good about doing that bone-head move still?).

At least Belt is capable out in LF, he used to play that previously and he did OK there defensively, albeit in small sampling. He definitely got the arm for it. And it is better than sitting him down, guaranteed, when Posey gets to play 1B when getting a rest from catching.

Kyle Perizi

Buster’s Grand Slam will live in Reds’ history ( in infamy and in Latos’s psyche ) forever!!!

Kyle Perizi

In 1 run games and in his handling of the bullpen is where Bochy becomes special in relation to his fellow managers.

ClutchUp

Obsessive Compulsive:

Sandovals a much better thirdbaseman than he will ever be a firstbaseman.

Belt has NOT played LF enough to even call it a small sample size. Tiny size maybe.

Belt is a superb LHanded defensive firstbaseman and belongs at firstbase unless 28 goes there for a game or two.

Posey is a catcher is a catcher. The Panda is an allstar thirdbaseman not an AS firstbaseman.

Crez

I’ve missed you Alex. I listen to you on Murph and Mac whenever you’re on, and it’s great to have you back again.

I check this blog every day, and boy am I glad that baseball is closing in to help get me out of my Niners funk.

I still can’t believe that final touchdown didn’t occur. PI on Crabtree, simple as that. I know it’s a baseball blog, but still…